O Americano tranqüilo =

The quiet American

No cover

Graham Greene: O Americano tranqüilo = (Spanish language, 1981, Abril Cultural & Industrial)

260 pages

Spanish language

Published Aug. 6, 1981 by Abril Cultural & Industrial.

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4 stars (2 reviews)

One of Graham Greene's best works. The story is set at the time of the French war against the Viet Cong and tells the story of liberal British journalist Thomas Fowler, his mistress Phuong, and their relationship with American idealist Pyle. The latter is an earnest young man indocrinated with geo-political theory and whose attempts to shape the world to American ideals ends in his own personal tragedy and drastically alters the lives of the other two participants. Written before the US involvement in Vietnam this is a strangely prophetic work and seriously encapsulates the British viewpoint towards that conflict. A beautifully written book and highly recommended.

46 editions

Authentic and Beautifully Written

5 stars

Graham Greene served with MI6 during World War II and traveled the world extensively both before and after. His experiences really come across in this novel, where the narrator can zero in about the small details of a locale that make it special, as well as provide some insights into life in war zones that only someone with legitimate been-there-done-that experience would have.

While the plot itself centers around a love triangle between a journalist, a Vietnamese woman, and an American operative, that almost seemed like background noise to me. What made the book special was the first person narration - a voice that was reflecting on life in general, life in Vietnam, war, intrigue and numerous other details with an authenticity that can't be fabricated.

Beautifully written and filled with realities of conflict (internal, interpersonal, and between opposing forces) that continue to resonate.

Review of 'The quiet American' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This story, told almost entirely in flashbacks, had a middle section that was too long for me. The rest is a mystery of sorts, and went well enough. The long middle section was a triangle between Fowler (Europe) and Pyle (American) over Phuong (Vietnam), and I see the allegory of the current and approaching wars. It's just that it seemed to drag.

At the time of release, it was seen as Anti-American, but that doesn't fit. It is one of Graham Greene's serious novels, as opposed to his Entertainments (i.e. Our Man in Havana). I have not seen the movie, though I understand the Michael Caine/Brendan Fraser film is far better than the earlier one.

In summary, I rate this 3 stars, and may revisit that after exploring another of his works.